Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Reebok Spartan World Championships at Killington

This past weekend, Killington was the place to be for obstacle course racing, the Reebok Spartan Race World Championships were in town.

Spartan Race™, the global leader in Obstacle Racing since 2005, was designed by seven insane ultra athletes and a Royal Marine. These races are not for the casual weekend athlete. This is one tough endurance event day. The obstacle course race is designed to test not only strength and stamina but also decision making skills.

There are three races: Spartan Sprint - 3 miles with 15+ obstacles; the Super Spartan - 8+ miles with 20+ obstacles; the Spartan Beast -12+ miles with 25+ obstacles. These obstacles aren't just hurdles and walls but racing uphill carrying a 50 lb sand bag; swimming towards a rope ladder, climbing it and ringing a bell; running through a fire pit and many more physical and mental challenges. If one cannot complete the obstacle you must take a BURPEE-usually 30 push ups. Beginning at 8 am, waves of 200 athletes line up every 15 minutes across five groups: Elite, Confirmed, Morning, Afternoon, Late Afternoon to attempt this grueling course.

A number of area athletes competed this year including The Mid-Vermont Spartans Team, a group of children from Woodstock Union High School.

These racers pay $100-200 to race, $10 to park and even spectators are charged a fee to watch the race. Every parking area at Killington was filled to overflowing with participant cars. The event was a huge success and race organizers hope the World Championships will return to Killington next year and for years to come.